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New City
New City, lying south of the River Rauvin and across the Moonbridge, resembles the Palace District in many ways. It is beautifully wrought, with tall spires and sweeping white stonework. However, it seems somehow less frivolous. Most agree that this is because New City is seen as a "scholar's district," an outlook bolstered as it is by the presence of the newly opened University of Silverymoon as well as the Vault of Sages.
New City is indeed as elegant as the Palace District, but the folk of New City - who tend to be either scholars or those that cater to scholars - come across as serious and dedicated. Those who visit here from the bustle of the Hunter's District or from the exuberance of the Palace Quarter tend to feel that New City is a calmer, more restrained place. The tranquility of Mielikki's Glade, a grove of trees holy to Mielikki and Lurue, the patronesses of Silverymoon, no doubt greatly contributes to this.
Mielikki's Glade
This site was the original worship site for Mielikki and Lurue in the city and remains an important place of worship to this day. Nestled amidst the largest Knights in Silver garrison in the city, this open meadow is under the auspices of Ladyservant Tathshandra Tyrar (NG human female Clr10). Her faith recently rejuvenated by a conference with Jeryth Phaulkon of Everlund, Tathshandra has been more actively recruiting new servants and followers to the Lady of the Forest.
The church of Mielikki itself has undergone a resurgence throughout the Silver Marches in the last two years, thanks greatly to the work of Jeryth Phaulkon. Widely rumored to be a Chosen of Mielikki, this powerful and charismatic leader has been sending clerics out to actively recruit new followers. What his arrival means for the city and the Silver Marches as a whole remains a mystery for now.
He has also been working with Lady Alustriel to curb the expansion of the High Forest by Turlang. The treant's territory has been growing ever closer to Everlund, and there is fear that the humans and treants will soon come into conflict.
Vault of the Sages
In a city where many try to remember the ideals of lost Myth Drannor, the greatest reminder to all is the Vault of the Sages. It is said to be the largest library and greatest collection of knowledge in the Realms, though the monks of Candlekeep may beg to differ. The Vault houses a priceless collection of tomes and scrolls from Myth Drannor, these being donated to the city by Ecamane Truesilver, first High Mage of Silverymoon, and Consort Elenaril, princess of Myth Drannor.
The Vault truly lives up to its name, being a five story, horseshoe shaped building made of dwarven worked granite from the Ruathym Mountains. There are few windows carved into the building's exterior save for the galleries on the first two floors. The galleries are a favorite meeting spot for commoners, nobles, merchants and adventurers alike. News from around the Realms is posted here, with news from the Silver Marches, the Sword Coast, and the Lake of Steam regions posted on the first floor and word from the rest of Faerun posted on the second.
Early in the year 1372 DR, Derricus Arenth took over as Keeper of the Vault. Traditionally the naming of the new Keeper was a matter of great import in Silverymoon, but Keeper Arenth's naming was oddly subdued. A former adventurer who many felt was an odd choice for Keeper, he has quickly proven himself with his political acumen and knowledge of the history of the North. Taern Hornblade has even invited him to sit on his council of peers and there are whispers that he is being groomed to replace Taern as High Mage.
Arken's Invocatorium
Having recently relocated across the river, this famous magic school is now housed in one of Silverymoon's newest buildings. A high, vaulted entrance made of purple granite greets students and visitors alike, giving it quite a different look from the surrounding temples and homes. Arken the Icy (CG human male Evo15) has not enjoyed his new position as Magus Evoker nearly as much as he thought he would. The bureaucracy has worn this already impatient man's nerves thin, and many think he is getting ready to retire. He is also seen as stubborn for his refusal to accept the new revelations in magic theory that caused the school of Invocation to be subsumed under the mantle of Evocation. Though he has accepted the title of Magus Evoker, he has scoffed at all who suggested renaming his school.
The Shining Scroll
This lavish teahouse and bookstore was until recently a small neighborhood business. The influx of young students to the new University brought success to the small shop and it has since had to expand. They offer a quiet reading environment and a wide selection of teas and other drinks from around Faerun. Students post all manner of announcements and queries on the "Big Board of News" at the front of the shop. Here one may find graduation announcements, party invitations, and the occasional humorous "Apprentice Mage for Hire" ad.
The owners of the establishment are Norlus and Melba Velgarian (NG human male and female Com4), an old couple who really don't know what to make of their success. Their son, Norlus II, is an instructor of Abjuration and enstarment at the University. He can be found helping his parents with their shop on his days off, a far safer pastime than his younger adventuring days .
The Lady's College
This prestigious institution is housed in several small buildings with one central administration building. Many of the buildings are still in their original form, but the administration building has recently been rebuilt concurrent with the dedication of the University. It now features a white marble atrium that shines with the midday sun thanks to the many windows along the walls and ceiling. A grand fountain adorns the middle of the atrium and depicts the goddesses Mielikki and Lurue lounging by the Rauvin. This was a gift to the University from dwarven craftsmen of the Underhome in appreciation for the College's work with the sorcerers and wizards of the Thunder Generation.
The Lady's College was founded in 821 DR by the young mage Elué Dualen with Lynnasha "Lynx" Nharimlur, sister to High Lady Mage Amaara Nharimlur. The Lady's College was the first open school for mages in Silverymoon that did not force apprenticeships on its students, instead accepting a term of service defending the city for a period equaling the amount of time spent studying at the school. It sought to teach the history of magic and the natural harnessing of the Weave as well as the more traditional arcane studies. While many traditional scholars and teachers scoffed, the school continued to produce fine practitioners of the Art, whether bard, sorcerer or wizard.
As the core of the new University, the Lady's College handles much of its administration. Headmaster Vihuel (NG human male Wiz20) has hired several assistants of a more bureaucratic nature than he to fill this role, as he prefers to spend his time teaching and doing research. Being of a more scholarly and technical bent himself, Vihuel would like to see the school move closer to the more traditional curriculum of a Miresk's School of Thaumaturgy. Tradition and the watchful eye of the senior faculty (including many of the instructors at Foclucan, the college's sister school) have thus far thwarted his attempts.
Miresk's School of Thaumaturgy
This important school was one of the largest in Silverymoon even before it became the premiere specialist school (Transmutation) at the University. Lady Alustriel chose Miresk as Magus Senior for the entire University not only for his skill and knowledge, but also for his belief in maintaining balance and restraint in the use of magic. He promotes the use of minor magic as a tool for creating better lives for those around him, and looks with disdain upon those who use flashy or powerful magic when unnecessary.
The school is still housed in its original building, though Miresk has moved his personal quarters and laboratory elsewhere to make room for the expanded student body. Though Miresk has many duties as Magus Senior, he still finds the time to teach higher level classes as well as lead private instruction. Most students cringe upon finding out they are to be under him, as his haughty attitude and impatience with failure are near legendary among the student body. Still, one learns a great deal about magic as well as the philosophy of its use under him, and students that can endure the brutal courseload turn out the better for it.
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